Close Up (Oct 1920 - Aug 1923)

UNIVERSAL PICK-UPS Another unit production manage has been appointed at Universal City to work with Martin Murphy and M. K. Wilson, under the supervision of Irving G. Thalberg, director-general of the studio. Charles P. Stallings, who has been in charge of the location department for some time, is the new production executive. He will have charge of the unit starring Frank Mayo and directed by William Worthington, making “Out of the Silent North” and one comedy unit. * * * Ethel Gray Terry has been cast by Universal to play the role of Madame Corona in “Under Two Flags,” Priscilla Dean’s present starring vehicle. The cast now includes such favorites as James Kirkwood, who plays opposite the star, John Davidson, Stuart Holmes, Sydney Franklin, W. H. Bainbridge and Robert Mack. * * * Nat Ross has been made a director at Universal City. He will guide Reginald Denny, star of the UniversalJewel police stories, the first of which is “The Red Rider.” Ross has been an assistant to many of the best known directors at Universal City and elsewhere. He was formerly private secretary to Carl Laemmle, president of the Universal Film Company. * * * Three comedy units are hitting the ball at a rapid rate at Universal City, making fun films that mark a departure from the obvious form of slapstick. Craig Hutchinson and Allen Curtis are alternating in direction of Roy Atwell and Ethel Ritchie, co-stars in domestic situation comedies. Separate casts are alternated weekly, making two units in production. * * * William H. Watson’s megaphone is behind the action of Neely Edwards, whose recent characterization in William D. Taylor’s last production, “The Green Temptation,” was marked by the critics as an unusual piece of work. * * * Another interesting cast has been engaged by Universal for Gladys Walton’s forthcoming starring vehicle, “The Trouper,” a sparkling comedydrama tale of stage life concerning a wardrobe slavey. Jack Perrin, popular leading man and star of the Universal series, “Bob of the U. S. N.,” will play opposite the star. Other well known members of the cast are Thomas Holding, Kathleen O’Connor, Roscoe Karns, Tom D. Guise, Mary True, Mary Philbin and Florence D. Lee. Harry Harris, who has directed Miss Walton in several previous successes, directs “The Trouper.” * * * LASKY-ISMS “The Ghost Breaker,” by Paul Dickey and Charles W. Goddard, adapted by Jack Cunningham, will be Wallace Reid’s next star picture and will be d:rected by Alfred E. Green. Lila Lee, it is announced, will be his leading woman. * * * One of the strongest casts that has been assembled for a picture in a long time, is now being gathered for George Fitzmaurice’s first California-made Paramount picture, an adaptat’on by Ouida Bergere of Mary Johnston’s “To Have and To Hold.” Betty Compson and Bert Lytell will be seen in the leading roles, while Theodore Kosloff is slated for one of the strongest acting parts. Work is to begin about April 24th at the Lasky studio. * * * The cast of “Pink Gods,” Penrhyn Stanlaws’ new production starting April 24th, will be headed by Bebe Daniels. It also includes Anna Q. Nilsson, Adolph Menjou and others. This is an adaptation of Cynthia Stockley’s South African story, “Pink Gods and Blue Demons,” and was adapted by J. E. Nash and Sonya Levien. * * * Cecil B. DeMille is scheduled to begin the 1st of May on his production, “Manslaughter,” by Jeanie Macpherson from the book by Alice Duer Miller. Thomas Meighan, Leatrice Joy and others will appear in the important roles. ifc Ifc % “Borderland,” Agnes Ayres’ new picture by Beulah Marie Dix, directed by Paul Powell, affords Miss Ayres an opportunity to prove that she is a versatile young woman. % Jjc * UNITED STUDIO NOTES Lou Anger, general manager of the Joseph M. Schenck production units, has returned from San Francisco, where he went on business connected with the Arbuckle matter, and is engaged in preparing for the forthcoming Norma and Constance Talmadge productions at United Studios. * * * For the first time in his screen career, Jackie Cocgan is working at night. Frank Lloyd, who is directing “Oliver Twist,” wanted the proper effects for the night scenes, and arranged to have the diminutive star set aside five evenings for the purpose. * * * Stephen Goossen, who designed the settings for “Oliver Twist,” has returned to his desk at the Joseph M. Schenck headquarters here and is engaged in sketching the sets for Constance Talmadge’s “East Is West,” and Norma Talmadge’s “The Mirage.” * * * Lloyd Hamilton, Jack White, Lloyd Bacon and General Manager E. H. Allen of Hamilton-White Comedies, will leave for the East this week for a month’s vacation. Upon their return they will resume production on their contract with Educational Pictures. * * * Wilfred Buckland, who designed the sets for Douglas Fairbanks’ “Spirit of Chivalry,” has resumed his association with Richard Walton Tully, and is preparing the technical schedule for the Guy Bates Post Starring production of “Omar, the Tentmaker.” Virginia Browne Fair will play opposite Mr. Post and Janes Young will direct.